Big mass battery including manufactured pressure vessel for energy storage

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/078,881, filed on Mar. 23, 2016, which claims the benefit of co-ownedU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/137,730, filed Mar. 24,2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application pertains to energy storage, and more particularly, to abig mass battery including a pressure vessel for storing energy on amassive scale.

BACKGROUND

Energy is the lifeblood of civilization. Without access to affordableand clean energy sources, civilizations struggle to advance their modernsocieties. While advances in the areas of clean energy generation havebeen prevalent in the past few decades, advances in energy storagetechnologies have not been as prevalent, and are woefully inadequate interms of cost and performance. This presents a particularly acuteproblem because most clean energy generation technologies are periodicin nature. For example, the output from solar farms occurs only duringthe day. By way of another example, the output from wind farms issomewhat unpredictable due to changes in weather patterns. Because ofthe uneven generation schedules, the energy must be stored for lateruse, or otherwise wasted.

Even with the latest advances in chemical battery technologies, suchstorage technology still remains prohibitively expensive andimpractical—particularly on a large scale, and also have thedisadvantage that they consume new raw materials to produce new batteryunits. Moreover, the relatively short life expectancy of conventionalchemical batteries means that businesses must often allocate additionalcapital to the repair or replacement of large battery installations.

Today, approximately ⅔ of the energy sources used to generateelectricity in the U.S. are fossil-fuel based. Burning fossil fuels togenerate electricity emits CO₂ into the atmosphere. Scientific researchindicates that the increasing CO₂ content in the atmosphere due toburning fossil fuels is changing the atmospheric weather on Earth.Public policy in the U.S. and world-wide is increasingly focusing onlowering and ultimately eliminating CO₂ emissions. One approach tominimizing CO₂ emissions is to replace fossil fuels sources withrenewable, intermittent or cyclical, low-carbon energy sources such assolar photovoltaic, wind, ocean wave, lake wave, ocean tide, lakecurrent, river current, or the like.

Fossil fuels enable near on-demand generation of electricity: whendemand is higher, more fossil fuels are burned in a power plant toincrease the amount of electricity being burned. But electricityconsumption is intermittent, cyclical, and seasonal. The demand forelectricity is largely decoupled from the natural processes that giverise to the intermittent and cyclical nature of the availability of somerenewable energy sources. It is common for wind energy to vary from aminimum of near zero to a typical maximum over a typical period on theorder of days to a week. The intensity of sunlight at a location variesstrongly with the time of day, season, weather, air clarity, and soforth. Oceanic wave energies vary on the hourly to monthly timescales.Oceanic tidal energies range from a typical minimum to a typical maximumapproximately twice daily.

Accordingly, a need remains for improved methods and systems for storingenergy on a massive scale. Embodiments of the invention address theseand other limitations in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem including a big mass battery and a manufactured pressure vesselfor energy storage, built in the vicinity of a strip mine, in accordancewith various embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along X′-X ofthe big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vessel of FIG.1.

FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of a section of the cross sectionalview of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B illustrates a close-up view of a section of the cross sectionalview of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B illustrates a close-up view of a section of the cross sectionalview of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong X′-X of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B illustrates a close-up view of a section of the cross sectionalview of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B illustrates a close-up view of a section of the cross sectionalview of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem including a big mass battery and a manufactured pressure vesselfor energy storage, built in the vicinity of an open pit mine, inaccordance with various embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along Z′-Z ofthe big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vessel of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example cross sectional view taken along Z′-Zof the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vessel ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongZ′-Z of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong Z′-Z of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong Z′-Z of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing approximate power generation figures for thebig mass batteries of FIGS. 1 and 7.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example plan view of a strip mine having multiplemining strips.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine of FIG. 14 prior to the mining strips being mined.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine of FIG. 14 after mine overburden is removed in a miningstrip from above a coal seam.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine of FIG. 14 after coal is removed in the mining strip fromthe coal seam.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine of FIG. 14 including a pressure cell bottom part and apressure cell side part of a pressure vessel disposed in a mining stripin accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine of FIG. 14 including additional parts of the pressurevessel disposed in two adjacent mining strips in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 20 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine of FIG. 14 including additional parts of the pressurevessel disposed in three adjacent mining strips in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 21 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine of FIG. 14 including additional parts of the pressurevessel disposed in four adjacent mining strips in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 22 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine of FIG. 14 including additional parts of the pressurevessel disposed in all of the illustrated mining strips in accordancewith some embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example cross section view taken along Y′-Y ofthe strip mine of FIG. 14 including the pressure vessel disposed alongthe length of a mining strip in accordance with some embodiments of theinventive concept.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example pressure cell of the pressure vessel ofFIG. 14, including enhanced porosity parts disposed therein, inaccordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem including a big mass battery and a manufactured pressure vesselfor energy storage, built in the vicinity of a landfill, in accordancewith various embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along U′-U ofthe big mass battery prior to construction of the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongU′-U of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongV′-V of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vesselof FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong U′-U of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong V′-V of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel of FIG. 25.

The foregoing and other features of the various embodiments of theinventive concept will become more readily apparent from the followingdetailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventiveconcept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthto enable a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. It shouldbe understood, however, that persons having ordinary skill in the artmay practice the inventive concept without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits,and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a data set could be termed a seconddata set, and, similarly, a second data set could be termed a first dataset, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “coupled to,” or “connected to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, directly coupled to or directly connected to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly connected to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

The terminology used in the description of the inventive concept hereinis for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used in thedescription of the inventive concept and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the inventive concept include a big mass battery forstoring energy on a massive scale. Embodiments of the inventive conceptcan be used to accumulate and store energy during timer periods whenexcess energy is available from renewable sources such as wind, solar,geothermal, ocean wave, lake wave, ocean tide, ocean current, lakecurrent, river current, or the like. Embodiments of the inventiveconcept can be used to release energy during time periods whenelectricity consumers demand electricity.

To replace near-on-demand fossil fuel sources with intermittent orcyclical renewable energy sources, it is necessary to couple electricitygeneration to demand. This can be accomplished using intermittent orcyclical renewable energy sources by storing renewable energy when it isavailable and releasing it to generate electricity on-demand whenelectricity is needed. The capacity of energy storage needed to permitthe replacement of fossil fuel burning with renewable energy sources forthe U.S. electricity grid is probably on the order of ¼ to ½ of thepresent-day fossil fuel net generation, or ⅙ to ⅓ of overall netgeneration (as fossil fuel net generation accounts for about ⅔ ofoverall net generation in the U.S.).

A future U.S. electricity grid that is dominated by intermittent andcyclical renewable energy sources and with usage demand largelydecoupled from renewable energy availability on a local or even regionalspatial scale likely requires energy storage capacity perhaps ¼ to ½ ofthe net generating capacity of the renewable energy sources when suchsources are running at average their average capacity. Embodiments ofthe inventive concept disclosed herein concern the building oflarge-scale, non-chemical big mass batteries, using local materials.Each big mass battery can have energy storage and electricity generationcapacities similar in scale to that of a typical power plant.Embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein may be themissing, strategic piece of the puzzle that will enable large scalereplacement in the U.S. of fossil fuel electricity generating powerplants with renewable energy power plants. The geographical distributionof this energy storage capacity ideally correlates with the geographicaldistribution of the renewable energy sources and/or the locations of theelectricity consumers.

As used herein, the term “big mass” is mass on the order of 1s to 1000sof millions of tonnes. For example, the big mass used in a big massbattery can have a total weight or mass of between one (1) million andone (1) billion tonnes, or more. By way of another example, the big massused in a big mass battery can have a total weight or mass of betweenone (1) million and two (2) billion tonnes, or more. By way of anotherexample, the big mass used in a big mass battery can have a total weightor mass of between one (1) million and three (3) billion tonnes, ormore. By way of another example, the big mass used in a big mass batterycan have a total weight or mass of between one (1) million and five (5)billion tonnes, or more. By way of another example, the big mass used ina big mass battery can have a total weight or mass of between one (1)million and ten (10) billion tonnes, or more. Various human activities,on an integrated annual basis yield big mass having one or more of thefollowing characteristics: it is loaded onto trucks or other transportmechanisms, it is moved across the surface of the Earth, and it isdumped or placed into temporary or permanent storage. For example,people worldwide create big mass in the form of municipal solid waste,mineral processing wastes from mining (e.g., mine overburden, wasterock, and tailings), coal ash, soil and rock contaminated with unwantedchemicals and/or isotopes, or the like.

The term big mass battery as used herein is an energy storage devicethat uses big mass for pressurizing a pressure vessel. The pressurevessel can include fluid input piping and fluid output piping toaccumulate, store, and release compressed air. The compressed air can bepressurized using renewable energy sources, and subsequently released togenerate electricity on demand using one or more turbines.

Building big mass battery devices for energy storage may offer a coalmining community a life line and a new, renewable energy-based,electricity-producing economy separate from the historical and current,coal-based, electricity-producing economy. Coal mines and thecommunities they support that adapt and build big mass battery devicesmay outlive mines and communities that do not. Big mass battery devicesmay offer hope for jobs and families in coal mining communities.Importantly, the U.S. currently needs coal mining for the foreseeablefuture because in 2014 coal powered about 39% of the U.S. electricalgrid, and it will likely take 20+ years to phase out and replace coal.Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein, when built inconjunction with an active coal mine, may provide a win-win situationfor the old and new economies.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem 100 including a big mass battery 110 and a manufactured pressurevessel 125 for energy storage, built in the vicinity of a strip mine, inaccordance with various embodiments of the inventive concept. Generaledge boundaries of the big mass battery 110 are indicated by X′, X, Y′,and Y designators. The big mass battery 110 includes mine overburden 115disposed atop the manufactured pressure vessel 125. The big mass battery110 can occupy the strip mine. The upper surface 120 of the mineoverburden 115 can be remediated. For example, trees and vegetation(e.g., 135) can be planted to grow on the remediated surface 120,farmland cultivated, grazing areas established, or the like. The uppersurface 120 of the mine overburden 115 can be substantially coplanarwith a surface 130 of the surrounding terrain. Walls of the manufacturedpressure vessel 125 can include a substantially impermeable layer thatis capable of substantially containing a fluid such as compressed air,water, or the like. The impermeable layer can have a low fraction byvolume of interconnected pores and a relatively low permeability. Forexample, the impermeable layer of the walls of the manufactured pressurevessel 125 can be constructed of rubber. The rubber material can berecycled rubber, for example, from discarded rubber vehicle tires. Thepressure vessel 125 can also contain porous earthen materials such assand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can permeate. In some embodiments, the big massbattery 110 is about 1000 meters long and about 1000 meters wide. Itwill be understood that other suitable dimensions are possible withoutdeparting from the various embodiments of the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

Gravity can cause the mine overburden 115 to apply pressure to thepressure vessel 125. The pressure vessel 125 can include an interfacesection 140 through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) canenter and exit the pressure vessel 125 via one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144). The one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144)can be coupled to the interface section 140. For example, the fluid canenter the pressure vessel 125 via pressure line 144 and/or exit thepressure vessel 125 via pressure line 142. The pressure lines (e.g., 142and 144) can include a pipe, a hose, a tunnel, or the like. In someembodiments, a single pressure line can be used through which the fluidcan both enter and exit the pressure vessel 125. In some embodiments, apressure line can be used to pump water out from one or more pressurecells of the pressure vessel 125. For example, water can be pumped outof porous medium parts within the pressure vessel 125. In someembodiments, a pressure line can be used to inject air into one or morepressure cells of the pressure vessel 125. In some embodiments, apressure line can be used for producing or extracting air from one ormore pressure cells of the pressure vessel 125. The pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144) can be connected to a turbine center 145.

The turbine center 145 can include one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and155). The one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can generateelectricity by way of pressurized fluid received via the one or morepressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144). Alternatively or in addition, theone or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can pump fluid into thepressurized vessel 125 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and144).

The turbine center 145 can be connected to a power station 160 viaelectrical line 152. The electrical line 152 can be, for example, anelectrical cable. The turbine center 145 can provide electricity to thepower station 160 via the electrical line 152. In some embodiments, theturbine center 145 can draw electricity from the power station 160 viathe electrical line 152. The power station 160 can be connected to awind farm 165 via electrical line 170, and/or to a solar farm 175 viaelectrical line 180. The power station 160 can receive electricity fromthe wind farm 165 via the electrical line 170, and/or from the solarfarm 175 via the electrical line 180. The power station 160 can provideelectricity to the electrical grid via an electrical line 185 and powergrid lines 190, and/or receive electricity from the electrical grid viathe electrical line 185 and the power grid lines 190.

During off-peak times, or when the power station 160 otherwise receiveselectricity from the wind farm 165, the solar farm 175, and/or the powergrid lines 190, that is more than can be immediately accommodated ortransferred to the grid, the power station 160 can send the excesselectricity to the turbine center 145 via the electrical line 152. Theturbine center 145 can then pump the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) into the pressure vessel 125 via the one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144), which provides gravity and pressure-based energystorage on a massive scale.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along X′-X ofthe big mass battery 110 including the manufactured pressure vessel 125of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of a section 205 of thecross sectional view of the big mass battery 110 of FIG. 2A. Referenceis now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Some of the elements are describedabove, and thus, a detailed description of such elements is notrepeated.

In the close-up view of the section 205 of the cross sectional view ofthe big mass battery 110, various layers are shown. For example, layerT1 corresponds to the mine overburden 115, which pressurizes themanufactured pressure vessel 125 due to the weight of the mineoverburden 115 by way of gravity. Layers A1, A2 divided into sub-layersA2B and A2T, and A3 correspond to the manufactured pressure vessel 125.More specifically, layers A1, A2 divided into sub-layers A2B and A2T,and A3 correspond to porous medium parts of the manufactured pressurevessel 125. The porous medium parts A1, A2 divided into sub-layers A2Band A2T, and A3 can contain an earthen material, a spongy material,and/or mineral processing waste. For example, the porous medium part A2Bcan contain an interior material or mix of materials having a firsttype, and the porous medium part A2T can contain an internal material ormix of materials having a second type. The porous medium part can have arelatively high fraction by volume of interconnected pores and arelatively high permeability.

The various layers and sub-layers (e.g., A1, A2, and A3) or combinationof layers and/or sub-layers (e.g., A1 plus A2 plus A3) of themanufactured pressure vessel 125 can be self-contained pressure cells,as further described below. The internal pressure of a particular layeris dependent on the number and kind of layers above the particularlayer. For example, the layer A1 has an internal pressure greater thaneach of the layers A2 and A3, and the layer A2 has an internal pressuregreater than the layer A3. Consequently, the layer A1 can store moreenergy per unit volume of interconnected pore space than each of thelayers A2 and A3, and the layer A2 can store more energy per unit volumeof interconnected pore space than the layer A3. In some embodiments, thelayer A3 is about eight (8) meters in depth, the layer A2B is about four(4) meters in depth, the layer A2T is about four (4) meters in depth,the layer A3 is about eight (8) meters in depth, and the layer T1 isabout twenty-five (25) meters in depth. It will be understood that othersuitable dimensions are possible without departing from the variousembodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery 110 including the manufactured pressurevessel 125 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B illustrates a close-up view of a section305 of the cross sectional view of the big mass battery 110 of FIG. 3A.Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, designated herein as StripMine A. Some of the elements are described above, and thus, a detaileddescription of such elements is not repeated.

The pressure vessel 125 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a singlepressure cell B. The fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) is containedwithin the single impermeable pressure cell B. The pressure cell B ofthe pressure vessel 125 can also contain porous earthen materials suchas sand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can permeate. The pressure cell B can include theinterface section 140 (of FIG. 1) through which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can enter and exit the pressure vessel 125 via theone or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 1). The mineoverburden 115 is shown as a layer T1.

In the close-up view of the section 305 of the cross sectional view ofthe big mass battery 110, two layers are shown. For example, layer T1corresponds to the mine overburden 115, which pressurizes themanufactured pressure vessel 125 due to the weight of the mineoverburden 115 by way of gravity. Layer B is a single layer of themanufactured pressure vessel 125. In other words, in this exampleembodiment, the manufactured pressure vessel 125 includes a singlepressure cell. The bold lines shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B representpressure cell boundaries of the manufactured pressure vessel 125.

In some embodiments, the mine overburden layer T1 is about twenty-five(25) meters in depth, and the single pressure cell B is abouttwenty-five (25) meters in depth. It will be understood that othersuitable dimensions are possible without departing from the variousembodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 4A illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery 110 including the manufactured pressurevessel 125 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4B illustrates a close-up view of a section405 of the cross sectional view of FIG. 4A. Reference is now made toFIGS. 4A and 4B, designated herein as Strip Mine B. Some of the elementsare described above, and thus, a detailed description of such elementsis not repeated.

The pressure vessel 125 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B includes two pressurecells C1 and C2. Each of the pressure cells (e.g., C1 and C2) isisolated from the other. In other words, the fluid (e.g., air, water, orthe like) is contained within each individual impermeable pressure cell(e.g., C1 and C2). Each of the pressure cells (e.g., C1 and C2) of thepressure vessel 125 can also contain porous earthen materials such assand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can permeate. The lower-situated pressure cell C1can include the interface section 140 (of FIG. 1) through which thefluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can enter and exit the pressurevessel 125 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG.1). The pressure cell C2 can also include an interface section 140 (ofFIG. 1), which can primarily be used to pressurize the pressure cell C2.The mine overburden 115 is shown as a layer T1.

In the close-up view of the section 405 of the cross sectional view ofthe big mass battery 110, three layers (e.g., C1, C2, and T1) are shown.For example, layer T1 corresponds to the mine overburden 115, whichpressurizes the manufactured pressure vessel 125 due to the weight ofthe mine overburden 115 by way of gravity. Layer C1 corresponds to afirst pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel 125. Layer C2corresponds to a second pressure cell of the manufactured pressurevessel 125. In other words, in this example embodiment, the manufacturedpressure vessel 125 includes two separate pressure cells. The bold linesshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B represent pressure cell boundaries of themanufactured pressure vessel 125.

In some embodiments, the mine overburden layer T1 is about twenty-five(25) meters in depth, the upper pressure cell C2 is about twelve (12)meters in depth, and the lower-situated pressure cell C1 is about twelve(12) meters in depth. It will be understood that other suitabledimensions are possible without departing from the various embodimentsof the inventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 5A illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong X′-X of the big mass battery 110 including the manufacturedpressure vessel 125 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5B illustrates a close-up view of asection 505 of the cross sectional view of FIG. 5A. Reference is nowmade to FIGS. 5A and 5B, designated herein as Strip Mine C. Some of theelements are described above, and thus, a detailed description of suchelements is not repeated.

The pressure vessel 125 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B includes three pressurecells D1, D2, and D3. Each of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2, and D3)is isolated from the other. In other words, the fluid (e.g., air, water,or the like) is contained within each individual impermeable pressurecell (e.g., D1, D2, and D3). Each of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2,and D3) of the pressure vessel 125 can also contain porous earthenmaterials such as sand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which thefluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can permeate. The lower-situatedpressure cell D1 can include the interface section 140 (of FIG. 1)through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can enter andexit the pressure vessel 125 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g.,142 and 144 of FIG. 1). The pressure cells D2 and D3 can also eachinclude an interface section 140 (of FIG. 1), which can primarily beused to pressurize the pressure cells D2 and D3. The mine overburden 115is shown as a layer T1.

In the close-up view of the section 505 of the cross sectional view ofthe big mass battery 110, four layers (e.g., D1, D2, D3, and T1) areshown. For example, layer T1 corresponds to the mine overburden 115,which pressurizes the manufactured pressure vessel 125 due to the weightof the mine overburden 115 by way of gravity. Layer D1 corresponds to afirst pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel 125. Layer D2corresponds to a second pressure cell of the manufactured pressurevessel 125. Layer D3 corresponds to a third pressure cell of themanufactured pressure vessel 125. In other words, in this exampleembodiment, the manufactured pressure vessel 125 includes three separatepressure cells. The bold lines shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B representpressure cell boundaries of the manufactured pressure vessel 125.

In some embodiments, the mine overburden layer T1 is about twenty-five(25) meters in depth, the upper pressure cell D3 is about eight (8)meters in depth, the middle pressure cell D2 is about eight (8) metersin depth, and the lower-situated pressure cell D1 is about eight (8)meters in depth. It will be understood that other suitable dimensionsare possible without departing from the various embodiments of theinventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 6A illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongX′-X of the big mass battery 110 including the manufactured pressurevessel 125 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6B illustrates a close-up view of a section650 of the manufactured pressure vessel 125 of the cross sectional viewof FIG. 6A. Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, designated hereinas Strip Mine D/E. Some of the elements are described above, and thus, adetailed description of such elements is not repeated.

The pressure vessel 125 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B shows a bloated portion610 of the manufactured pressure vessel 125. In other words, themanufactured pressure vessel 125 can lift the mine overburden layer T1.The amount of lift can be about one (1) meter in the case of Strip MineD, and about two (2) meters in the case of Strip Mine E. The structuralelements of the big mass battery 110 for both of the Strip Mine D andthe Strip Mine E examples are otherwise essentially the same, and bothare referred to in this example embodiment. The lift can be caused byadditional volume of the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) added toone or more of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2, and D3) of the pressurevessel 125. The added volume to the pressure vessel 125 can cause thebloat 610, which lifts the mine overburden layer T1, thereby increasingthe energy storage capacity of the big mass battery 110, as energystorage capacity is proportional to the volume of the pressure vessel125.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem 700 including a big mass battery 710 and a manufactured pressurevessel 725 for energy storage, built in the vicinity of an open pitmine, in accordance with various embodiments of the inventive concept.The big mass battery 710 includes mine waste rock 715 disposed atop themanufactured pressure vessel 725.

Large open pit mines tend to be deeper than large coal strip mines, butthey tend to cover a lesser map area. Some embodiments of the inventiveconcept take advantage of big mass in transit at an open pit mine,re-directing the big mass for use as a part of a manufactured big masspressure vessel. Constructing a big mass pressure vessel using big massalready in transit significantly lowers the costs of building a big massbattery device because some or all of the energy, labor, and treasurerequired to move the big mass to build the big mass battery device arebeing spent anyway. In some situations, big mass is not currently intransit but instead in temporary or permanent storage. These sites posehuge clean-up challenges. Big mass batteries as disclosed herein canoffer a previously unavailable incentive to re-fill the open pits usingthe big mass composed of mine waste rock withdrawn from the pit toisolate the various pollution sources at the sites. Open pit mine bigmass battery devices can yield higher energy density continuous for ayear values relative to strip mine big mass battery devices due to thepossible high depth and quantity of the mine waste rock.

General edge boundaries of the big mass battery 710 are indicated by W′,W, Z′, and Z designators. The big mass battery 710 can occupy the openpit mine. The upper surface 720 of the mine waste rock 715 can beremediated. For example, trees and vegetation (e.g., 135) can be plantedto grow on the remediated surface 720, farmland cultivated, grazingareas established, or the like. The upper surface 720 of the mine wasterock 715 can be substantially coplanar with a surface 130 of thesurrounding terrain. Walls of the manufactured pressure vessel 725 caninclude a substantially impermeable layer that is capable ofsubstantially containing a fluid such as compressed air, water, or thelike. For example, the impermeable layer of the walls of themanufactured pressure vessel 725 can be constructed of rubber. Therubber material can be recycled rubber, for example, from discardedrubber tires. The manufactured pressure vessel 725 can also containporous earthen materials such as sand, gravel, stones, or the like,within which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can permeate. Insome embodiments, the big mass battery 710 is substantially circularwith a diameter of about 1600 meters long and has a depth of about 300meters. It will be understood that other suitable dimensions arepossible without departing from the various embodiments of the inventiveconcept disclosed herein.

Gravity can cause the mine waste rock 715 to apply pressure to thepressure vessel 725. The pressure vessel 725 can include an interfacesection 140 through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) canenter and exit the pressure vessel 725 via one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144). For example, the fluid can enter the pressurevessel 725 via pressure line 144 and/or exit the pressure vessel 725 viapressure line 142. The pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144) can include apipe, a hose, a tunnel, or the like. In some embodiments, a singlepressure line can be used through which the fluid can both enter andexit the pressure vessel 725. The pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144) canbe connected to a turbine center 145. The turbine center 145 can includeone or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155). The one or more turbines(e.g., 150 and 155) can generate electricity by way of pressurized fluidreceived via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144).Alternatively or in addition, the one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and155) can pump fluid into the pressurized vessel 725 via the one or morepressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144).

The turbine center 145 can be connected to a power station 160 viaelectrical line 152. The electrical line 152 can be, for example, anelectrical cable. The turbine center 145 can provide electricity to thepower station 160 via the electrical line 152. In some embodiments, theturbine center 145 can draw electricity from the power station 160 viathe electrical line 152. The power station 160 can be connected to awind farm 165 via electrical line 170, and/or to a solar farm 175 viaelectrical line 180. The power station 160 can receive electricity fromthe wind farm 165 via the electrical line 170, and/or from the solarfarm 175 via the electrical line 180. The power station 160 can provideelectricity to the electrical grid via an electrical line 185 and powergrid lines 190, and/or receive electricity from the electrical grid viathe electrical line 185 and the power grid lines 190.

During off-peak times, or when the power station 160 otherwise receiveselectricity from the wind farm 165, the solar farm 175, and/or the powergrid lines 190, that is more than can be immediately accommodated ortransferred to the grid, the power station 160 can send the excesselectricity to the turbine center 145 via the electrical line 152. Theturbine center 145 can then pump the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) into the pressure vessel 725 via the one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144), which provides gravity and pressure-based energystorage on a massive scale.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along Z′-Z ofthe big mass battery 710 including the manufactured pressure vessel 725of the big mass battery 710 of FIG. 7. Some of the elements aredescribed above, and thus, a detailed description of such elements isnot repeated. The dimensional break 805 represents a conceptual break inthe length of the big mass battery 710. In other words, there is noactual physical break or physical item shown by 805.

The big mass battery 710 can include various layers. For example, layersT1, T2, and T3 correspond to the mine waste rock 715, which pressurizesthe manufactured pressure vessel 725 due to the weight of the mine wasterock 715 by way of gravity. Layers A1, A2 divided into sub-layers A2Band A2T, and A3 correspond to the manufactured pressure vessel 725. Morespecifically, layers A1, A2 divided into sub-layers A2B and A2T, and A3correspond to porous medium parts of the manufactured pressure vessel725. The porous medium parts A1, A2 divided into sub-layers A2B and A2T,and A3 can contain an earthen material, a spongy material, and/ormineral processing waste. For example, the porous medium part A2B cancontain an interior material or mix of materials having a first type,and the porous medium part A2T can contain an interior material or mixof materials having a second type.

The various layers and sub-layers (e.g., A1, A2, and A3) or thecombinations of layers and/or sub-layers (e.g., A1 plus A2 plus A3) ofthe manufactured pressure vessel 725 can be self-contained pressurecells, as further described below. The internal pressure of a particularlayer is dependent on the number and kind of layers above the particularlayer. For example, the layer A1 has an internal pressure greater thaneach of the layers A2 and A3, and the layer A2 has an internal pressuregreater than the layer A3. Consequently, the layer A1 can store moreenergy per unit volume of interconnected pore space than each of thelayers A2 and A3, and the layer A2 can store more energy per unit volumeof interconnected pore space than the layer A3. In some embodiments,each of the layers of the big mass battery 710 (i.e., A1, A2, A3, T1,T2, and T3) is about fifty (50) meters in depth, as shown for example by815. Each concentric layer (e.g., 815) of the big mass battery 710 canextend about fifty (50) meters outwardly relative to an edge of the nextlayer, as shown at 810. It will be understood that other suitabledimensions are possible without departing from the various embodimentsof the inventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example cross sectional view taken along Z′-Zof the big mass battery 710 including the manufactured pressure vessel725 of FIG. 7. The example embodiment of FIG. 9 is designated herein asOpen Pit Mine A. Some of the elements are described above, and thus, adetailed description of such elements is not repeated. The dimensionalbreak 805 represents a conceptual break in the length of the big massbattery 710. In other words, there is no actual physical break orphysical item shown by 805.

The pressure vessel 725 shown in FIG. 9 includes a single pressure cellB. In other words, the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) iscontained within the single pressure cell B. The single pressure cell Bcan also contain porous earthen materials such as sand, gravel, stones,or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) canpermeate. The single pressure cell B can have stepped side walls. Inother words, a lower portion of the pressure cell B can have a firstdiameter, the middle portion of the pressure cell B can have a seconddiameter greater than the first diameter, and an upper portion of thepressure cell B can have a third diameter greater than the seconddiameter. The single pressure cell B can include the interface section140 (of FIG. 1) through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like)can enter and exit the pressure vessel 725 via the one or more pressurelines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 1). The mine waste rock 715 is shown aslayers T1, T2, and T3. The bold lines shown in FIG. 9 represent pressurecell boundaries of the manufactured pressure vessel 725.

In some embodiments, the mine waste rock layer T1 is about fifty (50)meters in depth as shown at 815, the mine waste rock layer T2 is aboutfifty (50) meters in depth, the mine waste rock layer T3 is about fifty(50) meters in depth, and the single pressure cell B of the pressurevessel 725 is about 150 meters in depth. Each concentric layer (e.g.,815) of the big mass battery 710 can extend about fifty (50) metersoutwardly relative to an edge of the next layer, as shown at 810. Itwill be understood that other suitable dimensions are possible withoutdeparting from the various embodiments of the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongZ′-Z of the big mass battery 710 including the manufactured pressurevessel 725 of FIG. 7. The example embodiment of FIG. 10 is designatedherein as Open Pit Mine B. Some of the elements are described above, andthus, a detailed description of such elements is not repeated. Thedimensional break 805 represents a conceptual break in the length of thebig mass battery 710. In other words, there is no actual physical breakor physical item shown by 805.

The pressure vessel 725 shown in FIG. 10 includes two pressure cells C1and C2. Each of the pressure cells (e.g., C1 and C2) is isolated fromthe other. In other words, the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) iscontained within each individual impermeable pressure cell (e.g., C1 andC2). Each of the pressure cells (e.g., C1 and C2) of the pressure vessel725 can also contain porous earthen materials such as sand, gravel,stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) can permeate. The pressure cells C1 and C2 can have stepped sidewalls. In other words, a lower portion of the pressure cell C1 can havea first diameter, and an upper portion of the pressure cell C1 can havea second diameter greater than the first diameter. Similarly, a lowerportion of the pressure cell C2 can have a first diameter, and an upperportion of the pressure cell C1 can have a second diameter greater thanthe first diameter.

The lower-situated pressure cell C1 can include the interface section140 (of FIG. 1) through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like)can enter and exit the pressure vessel 725 via the one or more pressurelines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 1). The pressure cell C2 can alsoinclude an interface section 140 (of FIG. 1), which can primarily beused to pressurize the pressure cell C2. The mine waste rock 715 isshown as layers T1, T2, and T3.

The big mass battery 710 can include five layers (e.g., C1, C2, T1, T2,and T3). For example, layer T1 corresponds to a first layer of the minewaste rock 715, layer T2 corresponds to a second layer of the mine wasterock 715, and layer T3 corresponds to a third layer of the mine wasterock 715, all of which pressurizes the manufactured pressure vessel 725due to the weight of the mine waste rock 715 by way of gravity. Layer C1corresponds to a first pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel725. Layer C2 corresponds to a second pressure cell of the manufacturedpressure vessel 725. In other words, in this example embodiment, themanufactured pressure vessel 725 includes two separate pressure cells.The bold lines shown in FIG. 10 represent pressure cell boundaries ofthe manufactured pressure vessel 725.

In some embodiments, the mine waste rock layer T1 is about fifty (50)meters in depth as shown at 815, the mine waste rock layer T2 is aboutfifty (50) meters in depth, the mine waste rock layer T3 is about fifty(50) meters in depth, the pressure cell C1 of the pressure vessel 725 isabout seventy-five (75) meters in depth, and the pressure cell C2 of thepressure vessel 725 is about seventy-five (75) meters in depth. Eachconcentric layer (e.g., 815) of the big mass battery 710 can extendabout fifty (50) meters outwardly relative to an edge of the next layer,as shown at 810. It will be understood that other suitable dimensionsare possible without departing from the various embodiments of theinventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong Z′-Z of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressurevessel 725 of FIG. 7. The example embodiment of FIG. 11 is designatedherein as Open Pit Mine C. Some of the elements are described above, andthus, a detailed description of such elements is not repeated. Thedimensional break 805 represents a conceptual break in the length of thebig mass battery 710. In other words, there is no actual physical breakor physical item shown by 805.

The pressure vessel 725 shown in FIG. 11 includes three pressure cellsD1, D2, and D3. Each of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2, and D3) isisolated from the other. In other words, the fluid (e.g., air, water, orthe like) is contained within each individual impermeable pressure cell(e.g., D1, D2, and D3). Each of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2, andD3) of the pressure vessel 725 can also contain porous earthen materialssuch as sand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g.,air, water, or the like) can permeate. The pressure cell D1 can have afirst diameter. The pressure cell D2 can have a second diameter greaterthan the first diameter. The pressure cell D3 can have a third diametergreater than the second diameter.

The lower-situated pressure cell D1 can include the interface section140 (of FIG. 1) through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like)can enter and exit the pressure vessel 725 via the one or more pressurelines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 1). The pressure cells D2 and D3 canalso each include an interface section 140 (of FIG. 1), which canprimarily be used to pressurize the pressure cells D2 and D3. The minewaste rock 715 is shown as layers T1, T2, and T3.

The big mass battery 710 can include six layers (e.g., D1, D2, D3, T1,T2, and T3). For example, layer T1 corresponds to a first layer of themine waste rock 715, layer T2 corresponds to a second layer of the minewaste rock 715, and layer T3 corresponds to a third layer of the minewaste rock 715, all of which pressurizes the manufactured pressurevessel 725 due to the weight of the mine waste rock 715 by way ofgravity. Layer D1 corresponds to a first pressure cell of themanufactured pressure vessel 725, layer D2 corresponds to a secondpressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel 725, and layer D3corresponds to a third pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel725. In other words, in this example embodiment, the manufacturedpressure vessel 725 includes three separate pressure cells. The boldlines shown in FIG. 11 represent pressure cell boundaries of themanufactured pressure vessel 725.

In some embodiments, the mine waste rock layer T1 is about fifty (50)meters in depth as shown at 815, the mine waste rock layer T2 is aboutfifty (50) meters in depth, the mine waste rock layer T3 is about fifty(50) meters in depth, the pressure cell D1 of the pressure vessel 725 isabout fifty (50) meters in depth, the pressure cell D2 of the pressurevessel 725 is about fifty (50) meters in depth, and the pressure cell D3of the pressure vessel 725 is about fifty (50) meters in depth. Eachconcentric layer (e.g., 815) of the big mass battery 710 can extendabout fifty (50) meters outwardly relative to an edge of the next layer,as shown at 810. It will be understood that other suitable dimensionsare possible without departing from the various embodiments of theinventive concept disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong Z′-Z of the big mass battery 710 including the manufacturedpressure vessel 725 of the big mass battery 710 of FIG. 7. The exampleembodiment of FIG. 12 is designated herein as Open Pit Mine D/E. Some ofthe elements are described above, and thus, a detailed description ofsuch elements is not repeated. The dimensional break 805 represents aconceptual break in the length of the big mass battery 710. In otherwords, there is no actual physical break or physical item shown by 805.

The pressure vessel 725 shown in FIG. 12 shows a bloated portion 1205 ofthe manufactured pressure vessel 725. In other words, the manufacturedpressure vessel 725 can lift the mine waste rock layers T1, T2, and/orT3. The amount of lift can be about five (5) meter in the case of OpenPit Mine D, and about ten (10) meters in the case of Open Pit Mine E.The structural elements of the big mass battery 710 for both of the OpenPit Mine D and the Open Pit Mine E examples are otherwise essentiallythe same, and both are referred to in this example embodiment. The liftcan be caused by additional volume of the fluid (e.g., air, water, orthe like) added to one or more of the pressure cells (e.g., D1, D2, andD3) of the pressure vessel 725. The added volume to the pressure vessel725 can cause the bloat 1205, which lifts the mine waste rock layers T1,T2, or T3, thereby increasing energy storage capacity of the big massbattery 710, as energy storage capacity is proportional to the volume ofthe pressure vessel 725.

FIG. 13 is a graph 1300 showing approximate power generation figures fordifferent geometries of the big mass batteries 110 and 710 of FIGS. 1and 7, respectively. Approximate MW/Tonne values are shown on the y-axisfor each of Strip Mine examples A through E described in detail above,and for each of Open Pit Mine examples A through E also described indetail above. The number of pressure vessel layers is shown on thex-axis of the graph 1300.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example plan view of a strip mine 1400 havingmultiple mining strips (e.g., labeled S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5, throughSN). General edge boundaries of the strip mine 1400 are indicated by X′,X, Y′, and Y designators. In some embodiments, each mining strip isabout one thousand (1000) meters long as shown at 1405 and fifty (50)meters wide as shown at 1410.

Some embodiments of the inventive concept take advantage of big mass intransit at an active coal strip mine, re-directing the big mass for useas a part of a manufactured big mass pressure vessel. Constructing a bigmass pressure vessel using big mass already in transit significantlylowers the costs of building a big mass battery device because some orall of the energy, labor, and treasure required to move the big mass tobuild the big mass battery device are being spent anyway.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 prior to the mining strips (e.g., S1, S2,S3, S4, and S5, through SN) being mined. The dimensional break 1505represents a conceptual break in the length of the strip mine 1400. Inother words, there is no actual physical break or physical item shown by1505.

A horizontal coal seam 1515 runs along the bottom of the strip mine1400. The coal seam 1515 can have a depth 1510 of about six (6) meters,and each mining strip (e.g., S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, through SN) can have anoverburden depth 1530 of about fifty (50) meters and a strip width 1520of about fifty (50) meters, although it will be understood that otherdimensions are possible without departing from the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 after mine overburden is removed in amining strip S1 from above a coal seam 1515. Some of the elements aredescribed above, and thus, a detailed description of such elements isnot repeated. An active mining face 1605 is exposed after removing themine overburden in the mining strip S1.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 after coal 1710 is removed in the miningstrip S1 from the coal seam 1515. Some of the elements are describedabove, and thus, a detailed description of such elements is notrepeated. After mining the strip S1, broken overburden 1705 becomes bigmass, which is removed from above the coal seam 1515, and stockpiled forlater use. The coal 1710 that has been mined is sent into the economy.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example cross section view taken along X′-X ofthe strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including a pressure cell 1802 having apressure cell bottom part 1815 and a pressure cell side part 1810 of apressure vessel disposed in a mining strip S1 in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept. Some of the elements are describedabove, and thus, a detailed description of such elements is notrepeated.

The pressure cell bottom part 1815 can be constructed up to the activemining face 1605. The pressure cell bottom part 1815 can include abottom part protective layer 1805, which can be composed of clay, sand,or other earthen material. The pressure cell bottom part 1815 canfurther include a bottom part seal 1807, which can be composed of animpermeable layer, such as rubber. The pressure cell bottom part 1815can further include a bottom part protective layer 1809, which can becomposed of clay, sand, or other earthen material.

The pressure cell side part 1810 can be constructed away from the activemining face 1605. In other words, the pressure cell side part 1810 canbe constructed on an opposite end of the strip S1 relative to the activemining face 1605. The pressure cell side part 1810 can include asubstantially vertical side part 1808, which can be composed of ageomembrane. The pressure cell side part 1810 can further include asubstantially vertical side part seal 1814, which can be composed of animpermeable layer, such as rubber. The pressure cell side part 1810 canfurther include a cell side part 1812, which can be composed of ageomembrane. One or more interface sections 140 can be constructed abovethe pressure cell bottom part 1815 through which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can enter and exit the pressure vessel via the oneor more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 1). In someembodiments, each interface section 140 can include at least one of afluid input interface, a fluid output interface, or a water draininterface. The interface can be, for example, a pipe, a hole, acontinuous tube, a tunnel, a physical coupling, or the like.

After constructing the pressure cell bottom part 1815 and the pressurecell side part 1810, mining strip S2 can be cast blasted so that porousmaterial such as the mine overburden 1820 can be deposited on thepressure cell bottom part 1815.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including the completed pressure cell1802 and additional parts of the pressure vessel disposed in twoadjacent mining strips S1 and S2 in accordance with some embodiments ofthe inventive concept. Some of the elements are described above, andthus, a detailed description of such elements is not repeated.

The pressure cell 1802 can have an angle of repose 1930 of about 30degrees, which is a natural and safe angle that occurs as a result ofthe cast blasting of the overburden (e.g., 1820 and 1920). The pressurecell 1802 can include a top part 1915, which can include the slantedportion due to the angle of repose 1930 and an upper flat portion, andcan be connected to the pressure cell side part 1810 and the pressurecell bottom part 1815, over the porous overburden 1920 that was cast onthe pressure cell bottom part 1815, to complete the enclosed pressurecell 1802. The pressure cell top part 1915 can include a top partprotective layer 1912, which can be composed of clay, sand, or otherearthen material. The pressure cell top part 1915 can further include atop part seal 1914, which can be composed of an impermeable layer, suchas rubber. The pressure cell top part 1915 can further include a toppart protective layer 1908, which can be composed of clay, sand, orother earthen material.

The pressure cell top part 1915 can serve as a pressure cell bottom partof another pressure cell to sit atop the pressure cell 1915, and soforth. The pressure cell top part 1915 can be constructed atop theinterior overburden material (e.g., 1820) that was cast onto thepressure cell bottom part 1815 of the pressure cell 1802. The pressurecell bottom part 1815 of the pressure cell 1802 can be extended to theactive mining face 1605 in preparation of constructing another pressurecell 1902. Similarly, the pressure cell side part 1810 of the pressurecell 1802 can be extended in an upward direction in preparation ofconstructing yet another pressure cell 1904. Thereafter, mining strip S3can be cast blasted so that porous material such as the mine overburden1920 can be deposited atop the pressure cell 1802, and atop the bottompart of the pressure cell 1902.

FIG. 20 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including additional parts of thepressure vessel disposed in three adjacent mining strips (e.g., S1, S2,and S3) in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept.Some of the elements are described above, and thus, a detaileddescription of such elements is not repeated.

The construction of pressure cells 1902 and 1904 can be completed in asimilar fashion to that of pressures cell 1802 as described in detailabove. Notably, the pressure cell 1902 can be in substantially the shapeof a rhombus due to the two angles of repose 1930 and 2030. The pressurecell 1904 can be in the shape of a triangle due to the angle of repose2040 and the substantially vertical face of the mining strip S1. Each ofthe pressure cells 1802, 1902, and 1904 can include one or moreinterface sections 140, as described in detail above.

The pressure cell bottom part of the pressure cell 1902 can be extendedto the active mining face 1605 in preparation of constructing stillanother pressure cell 2002. Thereafter, mining strip S4 can be castblasted so that porous material such as the mine overburden 2020 can bedeposited atop the pressure cells 1902 and 1904, and atop the bottompart of the pressure cell 2002.

FIG. 21 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including additional parts of thepressure vessel disposed in four adjacent mining strips (e.g., S1, S2,S3, and S4) in accordance with some embodiments of the inventiveconcept. The construction of pressure cells can proceed in a fashionsimilar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 18-20. The castblasting of each mining strip is used not only to fill the pressurecells with porous mine overburden, but also to cast the brokenoverburden atop the pressure cells as shown at 2105. In other words, theoverburden 2120 can be cast blast onto the parts of the pressure cellsfor two purposes: 1) to assist in the construction of the pressurecells, and 2) to build a layer of big mass overburden atop the pressurecells, which pressurizes the manufactured pressure vessel due to theweight of the mine overburden by way of gravity.

FIG. 22 illustrates another example cross section view taken along X′-Xof the strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including additional parts (e.g.,pressure cell 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 disposed in all of theillustrated mining strips (e.g., S1 through SN) in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept. The dimensional break 1505represents a conceptual break in the length of a completed big massbattery 2215. In other words, there is no actual physical break orphysical item shown by 1505. The active mining face (e.g., 1605 of FIG.16) need not be present in the completed big mass battery 2215.

As shown in FIG. 22, the big mass battery 2215 includes mine overburden(e.g., 2205) disposed atop the manufactured pressure vessel 2210. Themanufactured pressure vessel 2210 can include multiple pressure cells(e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204). Walls of the manufactured pressurevessel 2210 and of each individual pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902,2002, and 2204) can include a substantially impermeable layer that iscapable of substantially containing a fluid such as compressed air,water, or the like. For example, the impermeable layer of the walls ofthe manufactured pressure vessel 2210 and/or of the individual pressurecells (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204) can be constructed of rubber.The rubber material can be recycled rubber, for example, from discardedrubber tires. Each of the individual pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902,2002, and 2204) can also contain porous earthen materials such as sand,gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid (e.g., air, water,or the like) can permeate.

Gravity can cause the mine overburden 2205 to apply pressure to thepressure vessel 2210. Each of the pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902,2002, and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 can include one or moreinterface sections 140 through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) can enter and exit each of the pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902,2002, and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 via one or more pressurelines (e.g., 142 and 144). For example, the fluid can enter the pressurecell (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 viapressure line 144 and/or exit the pressure cell (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002,and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 via pressure line 142. Thepressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144) can include a pipe, a hose, a tunnel,or the like. In some embodiments, a single pressure line can be usedthrough which the fluid can both enter and exit a particular pressurecell (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210. Thepressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144) can be connected to a turbine center145. The pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144) can be connected to two ormore pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204). In someembodiments, the pressure lines coming from each pressure cell (e.g.,1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204) of the pressure vessel 2210 can be combinedinto a single master pressure line, or into two master pressure lines.The single master pressure line and/or the two master pressure lines canbe connected to the turbine center 145. The turbine center 145 caninclude one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155). The one or moreturbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can generate electricity by way ofpressurized fluid received via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142and 144), or master pressure lines. Alternatively or in addition, theone or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can pump fluid into thepressurized vessel 2210 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142and 144), or master pressure lines.

The turbine center 145 can be connected to a power station 160 viaelectrical line 152. The electrical line 152 can be, for example, anelectrical cable. The turbine center 145 can provide electricity to thepower station 160 via the electrical line 152. In some embodiments, theturbine center 145 can draw electricity from the power station 160 viathe electrical line 152. The power station 160 can be connected to awind farm 165 via electrical line 170, and/or to a solar farm 175 viaelectrical line 180. The power station 160 can receive electricity fromthe wind farm 165 via the electrical line 170, and/or from the solarfarm 175 via the electrical line 180. The power station 160 can provideelectricity to the electrical grid via an electrical line 185 and powergrid lines 190, and/or receive electricity from the electrical grid viathe electrical line 185 and the power grid lines 190.

During off-peak times, or when the power station 160 otherwise receiveselectricity from the wind farm 165, the solar farm 175, and/or the powergrid lines 190, that is more than can be immediately accommodated ortransferred to the grid, the power station 160 can send the excesselectricity to the turbine center 145 via the electrical line 152. Theturbine center 145 can then pump the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) into the pressure cells (e.g., 1802, 1902, 2002, and 2204) of thepressure vessel 2210 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and144), which provides gravity and pressure-based energy storage on amassive scale.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example cross section view taken along Y′-Y ofthe strip mine 1400 of FIG. 14 including the pressure vessel 2210disposed along the length of a mining strip (e.g., S1) in accordancewith some embodiments of the inventive concept. Some of the elements aredescribed above, and thus, a detailed description of such elements isnot repeated. As can be seen in this length-wise view of a mining strip,each individual pressure cell (e.g., 1802) of the pressure vessel 2210can be contiguous along the entire length as shown at 1405 of aparticular mining strip (e.g., S1).

FIG. 24 illustrates an example pressure cell 1902 of the pressure vessel2210 of FIG. 14, including enhanced porosity parts (e.g., 2405 and 2410)disposed therein, in accordance with some embodiments of the inventiveconcept. The enhanced porosity parts can include, for example, porous orsemi-porous concrete blocks 2405, perforated piping 2410, or the like.The enhanced porosity parts (e.g., 2405 and 2410) can provide internalrigid structure to the individual pressure cells (e.g., 1902) while alsoincreasing porosity within the individual pressure cells (e.g., 1902),so that more fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can be stored andpressurized within the pressure vessel 2210 (of FIG. 22).

FIG. 25 illustrates an example perspective view of a big mass batterysystem 2500 including a big mass battery 2510 and a manufacturedpressure vessel 2525 for energy storage, built in the vicinity of alandfill, in accordance with various embodiments of the inventiveconcept.

General edge boundaries of the big mass battery 2510 are indicated byU′, U, V′, and V designators. The big mass battery 2510 includeslandfill municipal solid waste 2515 disposed atop the manufacturedpressure vessel 2525, and big mass side extensions 2517 surrounding thelandfill municipal solid waste 2515 on all sides. The big mass battery2510 can occupy the landfill. The upper surface 2520 of the landfillwaste 2515 and the big mass side extensions 2517 can be remediated. Forexample, trees and vegetation (e.g., 135) can be planted to grow on theremediated surface 2520, farmland cultivated, grazing areas established,or the like. The upper surface 2520 of the landfill waste 2515 can besubstantially coplanar with a surface 130 of the surrounding terrain.Side and upper walls of the manufactured pressure vessel 2525 caninclude a substantially impermeable layer that is capable ofsubstantially containing a fluid such as compressed air, water, or thelike. For example, the impermeable layer of the upper walls of themanufactured pressure vessel 2525 can be constructed of rubber. Therubber material can be part of a landfill bottom liner. Also, forexample, the impermeable layer of the side walls can be constructed ofconcrete, earthen slurry, steel pilings, or the like. The pressurevessel 2525 can also contain porous earthen materials such as naturalformation, sand, gravel, stones, or the like, within which the fluid(e.g., air, water, or the like) can permeate. In some embodiments, thebig mass battery 2510 is about 1200 meters long and about 1200 meterswide. It will be understood that other suitable dimensions are possiblewithout departing from the various embodiments of the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

Gravity can cause the landfill municipal solid waste 2515 to applypressure to the pressure vessel 2525. The pressure vessel 2525 caninclude an interface section 140 through which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can enter and exit the pressure vessel 2525 via oneor more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144). For example, the fluid canenter the pressure vessel 2525 via pressure line 144 and/or exit thepressure vessel 2525 via pressure line 142. The pressure lines (e.g.,142 and 144) can include a pipe, a hose, a tunnel, or the like. In someembodiments, a single pressure line can be used through which the fluidcan both enter and exit the pressure vessel 2525. The pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144) can be connected to a turbine center 145. Theturbine center 145 can include one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155).The one or more turbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can generate electricity byway of pressurized fluid received via the one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144). Alternatively or in addition, the one or moreturbines (e.g., 150 and 155) can pump fluid into the pressurized vessel2525 via the one or more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144).

The turbine center 145 can be connected to a power station 160 via anelectrical line 152. The electrical line 152 can be, for example, anelectrical cable. The turbine center 145 can provide electricity to thepower station 160 via the electrical line 152. In some embodiments, theturbine center 145 can draw electricity from the power station 160 viathe electrical line 152. The power station 160 can be connected to awind farm 165 via electrical line 170, and/or to a solar farm 175 viaelectrical line 180. The power station 160 can receive electricity fromthe wind farm 165 via the electrical line 170, and/or from the solarfarm 175 via the electrical line 180. The power station 160 can provideelectricity to the electrical grid via an electrical line 185 and powergrid lines 190, and/or receive electricity from the electrical grid viathe electrical line 185 and the power grid lines 190.

During off-peak times, or when the power station 160 otherwise receiveselectricity from the wind farm 165, the solar farm 175, and/or the powergrid lines 190, that is more than can be immediately accommodated ortransferred to the grid, the power station 160 can send the excesselectricity to the turbine center 145 via the electrical line 152. Theturbine center 145 can then pump the fluid (e.g., air, water, or thelike) into the pressure vessel 2525 via the one or more pressure lines(e.g., 142 and 144), which provides gravity and pressure-based energystorage on a massive scale.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example cross sectional view taken along U′-U ofthe big mass battery 2510 prior to construction of the manufacturedpressure vessel 2525 of FIG. 25. Some of the elements are describedabove, and thus, a detailed description of such elements is notrepeated. The layer T1 includes municipal solid waste 2515. A landfillbottom liner 2605 separates the layer T1 and the layer A1. Mostlandfills have the bottom liner 2605 as a standard industry practice.The layer A1 can be a porous medium part composed of natural formation,which is further described below. The layer A2 can be either a porous ora non-porous lower part composed of natural formation, which is furtherdescribed below. The landfill bottom liner 2605 serves as a pressurecell top part of a pressure vessel, as further described below.

FIG. 27 illustrates another example cross sectional view taken alongU′-U of the big mass battery including the manufactured pressure vessel2525 of FIG. 25. Some of the elements are described above, and thus, adetailed description of such elements is not repeated. The manufacturedpressure vessel 2525 can include layer A1, which is a porous medium partcomposed of natural formation. The manufactured pressure vessel 2525 caninclude a pressure cell top part 2605 composed of the landfill bottomliner 2605. In addition, the manufactured pressure vessel 2525 caninclude substantially vertical pressure cell side parts 2710, which caninclude a non-porous impermeable layer, such as concrete, earthenslurry, or the like. Moreover, the manufactured pressure vessel 2525 caninclude a pressure cell bottom part composed of layer A2, which can be anon-porous part composed of natural formation. Big mass side extensions2517 can be added to pressurize bond between the pressure cell top part2605 and the substantially vertical pressure cell side parts 2710. Thepressure cell porous medium part layer A1 can be surrounded by thepressure cell top part 2605, the pressure cell side parts 2710, and thepressure cell bottom part A2.

The manufactured pressure vessel 2525 can include enhanced porosityparts (e.g., 2705 and 2706) disposed therein, in accordance with someembodiments of the inventive concept. The enhanced porosity parts caninclude, for example, tunnels 2705, drill holes 2706, or the like. Theenhanced porosity parts (e.g., 2705 and 2706) can maintain the internalrigid structure to the porous medium part layer A1 while also increasingporosity within the porous medium part layer A1, so that more fluid(e.g., air, water, or the like) can be stored and pressurized within themanufactured pressure vessel 2525.

The pressure vessel 2525 can include an interface section 140 (of FIG.25) through which the fluid (e.g., air, water, or the like) can enterand exit the pressure vessel 2525 via one or more pressure lines (e.g.,142 and 144 of FIG. 25).

FIG. 28 illustrates yet another example cross sectional view taken alongV′-V of the big mass battery 2510 including the manufactured pressurevessel 2525 of FIG. 25. Some of the elements are described above, andthus, a detailed description of such elements is not repeated. This viewis of the big mass battery 2510 of FIG. 27, but taken along V′-V ratherthan U′-U.

FIG. 29 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong U′-U of the big mass battery 2510 including the manufacturedpressure vessel 2525 of FIG. 25. Some of the elements are describedabove, and thus, a detailed description of such elements is notrepeated.

The pressure vessel 2525 can include a landfill bottom liner 2605, whichforms a top part of the pressure vessel 2525. The pressure vessel 2525can further include substantially vertical side parts 2710, which caninclude an impermeable layer. For example, the impermeable layer of thevertical side parts 2710 of the pressure vessel 2525 can be constructedof concrete, earthen slurry, steel pilings, or the like. The big massbattery 2510 can include big mass side extensions 2517 surrounding thelandfill municipal solid waste 2515, which can pressurize bond betweenthe pressure cell top part 2605 and the substantially vertical pressurecell side parts 2710.

In this embodiment, an open bottom high water table is part of the bigmass battery 2510. Layer A2 can include either a porous medium part or anon-porous part composed of natural formation. Layer A2 can be acontinuation of layer A1. In some embodiments, a porous contact mayexist between layers A1 and A2. Layer A1 includes a natural groundwaterlevel 2915 that can be within a particular distance of the top surfaceof big mass extensions 2517. The particular distance can be betweenabout one (1) meter and five (5) meters. In this example embodiment, themanufactured pressure vessel 2525 includes the porous medium part layerA1 composed of natural formation. In addition, the manufactured pressurevessel 2525 can include at least a part of the layer A2, which can be aporous medium part composed of natural formation, or a non-porous partcomposed of natural formation. The manufactured pressure vessel 2525 canbe surrounded by the pressure cell top part 2605, the pressure cell sideparts 2710 composed of manufactured non-porous medium parts, and thepressure cell bottom part composed of layer A2 porous medium partnatural formation, which is below the natural groundwater level 2915.The manufactured pressure vessel 2525 can include enhanced porosityparts (e.g., 2705 and 2706 of FIG. 27) disposed therein, in accordancewith some embodiments of the inventive concept.

Gravity can cause the landfill waste 2515 to apply pressure to thepressure vessel 2525, such that a normal groundwater level 2915 isdisplaced by a displacement amount 2905 to a pressurized ground waterlevel 2920. Groundwater displacement is the vertical offset between thenatural groundwater level 2915 and the pressurized ground water level2920. Pressure is given by 1000 kg·m⁻³*9.8 m·s⁻²*groundwaterdisplacement (e.g., 2905). The pressure vessel 2525 can include aninterface section 140 (of FIG. 25) through which the fluid (e.g., air,water, or the like) can enter and exit the pressure vessel 2525 via oneor more pressure lines (e.g., 142 and 144 of FIG. 25).

FIG. 30 illustrates still another example cross sectional view takenalong V′-V, rather than U′-U (of FIG. 29) of the big mass batteryincluding the manufactured pressure vessel of 2525 FIG. 25. Some of theelements are described above, and thus, a detailed description of suchelements is not repeated.

Energy is stored in a big mass battery device by pushing air into theclosed pressure vessel, thereby compressing the air, and therebyincreasing the pressure of the air within the big mass battery pressurevessel. Electricity can be produced from the big mass battery device byreleasing the pressurized air on-demand to run one or more turbines.

The effective volume of a big mass battery pressure vessel (i.e., thevolume available for energy storage using compressed air) may be derivedfrom characteristics of the porous medium part that, for example, canmake up a majority of the overall volume of the big mass batterypressure vessel. The porous medium part of the big mass battery pressurevessel can have an average porosity. Porosity is the fraction ofmaterial, by volume, that is devoid of solid material, interconnected,filled with air or filled with water, which can be replaced with air.The big mass can have porosities of 0.10-0.20 or higher whenincorporated into a big mass battery device. A big mass battery pressurevessel having dimensions on the order of 1 km² map area, 25 meters ofdepth, and porous medium part porosity of 0.20, has an effective energystorage volume of about 5.0000×10⁶ m³.

The big mass that is set upon the pressure vessel can be referred to asa pressurizing big mass part. The pressure vessel can be pressurized bythe pressurizing big mass part that is set upon it. The maximum pressurethat can be sustained by the big mass pressure vessel can be determinedlargely by the mass per unit area of the pressurizing big mass part thatis set upon the pressure vessel. For example, a pressure vessel that isdisposed beneath twenty-five (25) meters of pressurizing big mass parthaving a density of 2,250 kg·m⁻³ may sustain a pressure of about5.5125×10⁵ Pascal (Pa) in pressure cells adjacent to the pressurizingbig mass part.

Thus, a big mass pressure vessel of effective volume of 5.0000×10⁶ m³filled with air at a pressure of 5.5125×10⁵ Pa, producing electricity atan overall efficiency of 0.50, can store about 7.6565×10⁵ kW·h per fill,which equates to about 1.1485×10⁸ kW·h per year, or 13.10 MW continuouspower for one (1) year when filled 300 times per year.

Additional energy may be stored in a big mass battery device bycontinuing to pump air into the pressure vessel, thereby lifting thepressurizing big mass part that is set upon the pressure vessel, therebyincreasing the volume of the pressure vessel. For example, lifting thepressurizing big mass part by an average of one (1) meter can yield avolume added due to lift of the big mass pressure vessel top part andoverlying pressurizing big mass part of about 1.0000×10⁶ m³, storesabout 1.5313×10⁵ kWh per fill, which equates to about 2.2970×10⁷ kW·hper year, or about 2.62 MW continuous power for one (1) year when filled300 times per year.

In some embodiments, enhanced porosity parts are added to the pressurecell interior. In some embodiments, underground mine workings or cavernscan be converted to one or more pressure cell for a big mass batterypressure vessel.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention may be built byre-activating and putting back into transit, for another purpose such asminimizing pollution sources, big mass that had previously been placedin temporary or permanent storage. Some of humanity's most toxic and/orundesirable materials may be placed in a big mass battery device tofully contain, isolate, and control them, such as material that producesadditional unwanted negative effects due to exposure to and/or chemicalconnection with the surface and near-surface environment. Constructing abig mass battery device using re-activated, previously stored big massmay be desirable to society, especially if moving the big massaccomplishes another societal goal such as environmental cleanupassociated with and/or remediated by moving the big mass.

Several types of pollution may be associated with big mass removed fromand permanently stored next to an open pit mine. For example, water mayaccumulate in an inactive open pit and the water may become highlypolluted due to chemical and physical interaction between the meteoricand/or ground water, atmosphere, and rock exposed within the pit by themining activity. Pollutants may be derived from and emanate from thestored big mass due to chemical and physical interaction betweenmeteoric and/or ground water, the atmosphere, and rock exposed withinthe big mass by the mining Big mass in the form of old municipal solidwaste, old mine waste sites, coal ash, and chemically and/orisotopically contaminated soil and rock may be moved, sorted,consolidated, isolated, and controlled by constructing a big massbattery device. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may usemunicipal solid waste previously placed into permanent storage.Pollution associated with the big mass may be stopped and remediated.

Some embodiments include a big mass battery, comprising a manufacturedpressure vessel including one or more pressure cells having animpermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate,and a big mass layer disposed atop the manufactured pressure vessel topressurize the air within the pressure vessel.

In some embodiments, the impermeable layer includes rubber from recycledvehicle tires. In some embodiments, the big mass layer has a totalweight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more.In some embodiments, the big mass layer includes a remediated uppersurface including at least one of a tree, vegetation, farmland, or agrazing area. In some embodiments, a depth of the manufactured pressurevessel is about twenty-five (25) meters, and a depth of the big masslayer is about twenty-five (25) meters.

In some embodiments, the big mass battery further comprises an interfacesection through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel,one or more pressure lines coupled to the interface section, and aturbine center coupled to the one or more pressure lines, wherein theturbine center includes one or more turbines configured to generateelectricity in response to the pressurized air received through the oneor more pressure lines.

In some embodiments, the one or more turbines are configured to pump airthrough the one or more pressure lines into the pressure vessel topressurize the pressure vessel. In some embodiments, the manufacturedpressure vessel further comprises a first impermeable pressure cellcontaining first porous earthen materials and first pressurized air, asecond impermeable pressure cell atop the first impermeable pressurecell, the second impermeable pressure cell containing second porousearthen materials and second pressurized air, an interface section inthe first impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vesselthrough which the first pressurized air can enter and exit the firstimpermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, an interface sectionin the second impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressurevessel through which the second pressurized air can enter and exit thesecond impermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, and one or morepressure lines coupled to the interface section. In some embodiments,the big mass battery occupies a strip mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa first impermeable pressure cell containing first porous earthenmaterials and first pressurized air a second impermeable pressure cellatop the first impermeable pressure cell, the second impermeablepressure cell containing second porous earthen materials and secondpressurized air, a third impermeable pressure cell atop the secondimpermeable pressure cell, the third impermeable pressure cellcontaining third porous earthen materials and third pressurized air, aninterface section in the first impermeable pressure cell of themanufactured pressure vessel through which the first pressurized air canenter and exit the first impermeable pressure cell of the pressurevessel, an interface section in the second impermeable pressure cell ofthe manufactured pressure vessel through which the second pressurizedair can enter and exit the second impermeable pressure cell of thepressure vessel, an interface section in the third impermeable pressurecell of the manufactured pressure vessel through which the thirdpressurized air can enter and exit the third impermeable pressure cellof the pressure vessel, and one or more pressure lines coupled to theinterface section, wherein the big mass battery occupies a strip mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa single impermeable pressure cell containing porous earthen materialsand pressurized air, wherein a lower portion of the pressure cell has afirst diameter, a middle portion of the pressure cell has a seconddiameter greater than the first diameter, and an upper portion of thepressure cell has a third diameter greater than the second diameter, aninterface section in the impermeable pressure cell of the manufacturedpressure vessel through which the pressurized air can enter and exit theimpermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, and one or morepressure lines coupled to the interface section, wherein the big massbattery occupies an open pit mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa first impermeable pressure cell containing first porous earthenmaterials and first pressurized air, wherein a lower portion of thefirst pressure cell has a first diameter, and an upper portion of thefirst pressure cell has a second diameter greater than the firstdiameter, a second impermeable pressure cell atop the first impermeablepressure cell, the second impermeable pressure cell containing secondporous earthen materials and second pressurized air, wherein a lowerportion of the second pressure cell has a first diameter, and an upperportion of the second pressure cell has a second diameter greater thanthe first diameter, an interface section in the first impermeablepressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel through which thefirst pressurized air can enter and exit the first impermeable pressurecell of the pressure vessel, an interface section in the secondimpermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel throughwhich the second pressurized air can enter and exit the secondimpermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, and one or morepressure lines coupled to the interface section, wherein the big massbattery occupies an open pit mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa first impermeable pressure cell containing first porous earthenmaterials and first pressurized air, wherein the first impermeablepressure cell has a first diameter a second impermeable pressure cellatop the first impermeable pressure cell, the second impermeablepressure cell containing second porous earthen materials and secondpressurized air, wherein the second impermeable pressure cell has asecond diameter greater than the first diameter, a third impermeablepressure cell atop the second impermeable pressure cell, the thirdimpermeable pressure cell containing third porous earthen materials andthird pressurized air, wherein the third impermeable pressure cell has athird diameter greater than the second diameter, an interface section inthe first impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vesselthrough which the first pressurized air can enter and exit the firstimpermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, an interface sectionin the second impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressurevessel through which the second pressurized air can enter and exit thesecond impermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, an interfacesection in the third impermeable pressure cell of the manufacturedpressure vessel through which the third pressurized air can enter andexit the third impermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, and oneor more pressure lines coupled to the interface section, wherein the bigmass battery occupies an open pit mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa first impermeable substantially rhombus pressure cell containing firstporous earthen materials, first pressurized air, and a first interfacesection through which the first pressurized air can enter and exit thefirst impermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, a secondimpermeable pressure cell atop the first impermeable pressure cell, thesecond impermeable pressure cell containing second porous earthenmaterials, second pressurized air, and a second interface sectionthrough which the second pressurized air can enter and exit the secondimpermeable pressure cell of the pressure vessel, and a thirdimpermeable substantially rhombus pressure cell adjacent the firstimpermeable pressure cell, the third impermeable pressure cellcontaining third porous earthen materials, third pressurized air, and athird interface section through which the third pressurized air canenter and exit the third impermeable pressure cell of the pressurevessel, wherein the big mass battery occupies a strip mine.

In some embodiments, the manufactured pressure vessel further comprisesa landfill bottom liner, one or more substantially vertical impermeablepressure cell side parts coupled to the landfill bottom liner, a firstpressure cell porous medium part layer including natural formation andcontaining pressurized air, an interface section in the first pressurecell porous medium part layer of the manufactured pressure vesselthrough which the pressurized air can enter and exit the first pressurecell of the pressure vessel, and one or more pressure lines coupled tothe interface section, wherein the big mass battery occupies a landfill.

Some embodiments of the inventive concept include a method forconstructing a big mass battery using big mass in transit at a stripmine. The method can include removing first mine overburden of a firstmining strip from a coal seam of the strip mine, disposing animpermeable pressure cell bottom part in the first mining strip up to anactive mining face of the strip mine, disposing an impermeable pressurecell side part in the first mining strip on an opposite end of themining strip relative to the active mining face, and cast blasting asecond mining strip so that second porous mine overburden is depositedon the pressure cell bottom part.

The method can include disposing one or more interface sections on thepressure cell bottom part, disposing an impermeable pressure cell toppart over the second porous mine overburden deposited on the pressurecell bottom part, and connecting the impermeable pressure cell top partto the impermeable pressure cell side part and to the impermeablepressure cell bottom part.

The impermeable pressure cell top part can be referred to as a firstimpermeable pressure cell top part. The method can further includeextending the impermeable pressure cell bottom part in the first miningstrip into the second mining strip up to the active mining face of thestrip mine, vertically extending the impermeable pressure cell side partin the first mining strip, cast blasting a third mining strip so thatthird porous mine overburden is deposited on the extended pressure cellbottom part, and on the first impermeable pressure cell top part,disposing one or more interface sections on the extended pressure cellbottom part, disposing one or more interface sections on the firstimpermeable pressure cell top part, disposing a second impermeablepressure cell top part over the third porous mine overburden depositedon the first impermeable pressure cell top part, and connecting thesecond impermeable pressure cell top part to the extended pressure cellside part and to the first impermeable pressure cell top part.

In some embodiments, disposing the impermeable pressure cell bottom partfurther comprises disposing a first bottom part protective layerincluding earthen material, disposing a bottom part seal on the firstbottom part protective layer, wherein the bottom part seal includesrubber, and disposing a second bottom part protective layer on thebottom part seal, wherein the second bottom part protective layerincludes earthen material.

In some embodiments, disposing the impermeable pressure cell side partfurther comprises disposing a first side part in the first mining stripon the opposite end of the mining strip relative to the active miningface, wherein the first side part includes a geomembrane, disposing asubstantially vertical side part seal adjacent to the first side part,wherein the side part seal includes an impermeable layer of rubber, anddisposing a second side part adjacent the vertical side part seal,wherein the second side part includes a geomembrane.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention withreference to illustrated embodiments, it will be recognized that theillustrated embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detailwithout departing from such principles, and can be combined in anydesired manner And although the foregoing discussion has focused onparticular embodiments, other configurations are contemplated. Inparticular, even though expressions such as “according to an embodimentof the invention” or the like are used herein, these phrases are meantto generally reference embodiment possibilities, and are not intended tolimit the invention to particular embodiment configurations. As usedherein, these terms can reference the same or different embodiments thatare combinable into other embodiments.

Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to theembodiments described herein, this detailed description and accompanyingmaterial is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken aslimiting the scope of the invention. What is claimed as the invention,therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope andspirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for constructing a big massbattery using big mass in transit at a strip mine, the methodcomprising: removing first mine overburden of a first mining strip ofthe strip mine; disposing an impermeable pressure cell bottom part inthe first mining strip up to an active mining face of the strip mine;disposing an impermeable pressure cell side part in the first miningstrip on an opposite end of the mining strip relative to the activemining face; and cast blasting a second mining strip so that secondporous mine overburden is deposited on the pressure cell bottom part. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: disposing one or moreinterface sections on the pressure cell bottom part; disposing animpermeable pressure cell top part over the second porous mineoverburden deposited on the pressure cell bottom part; and connectingthe impermeable pressure cell top part to the impermeable pressure cellside part and to the impermeable pressure cell bottom part, therebyforming a first pressure cell.
 3. The method of claim 2, the methodfurther comprising: extending the impermeable pressure cell bottom partin the first mining strip into the second mining strip up to the activemining face of the strip mine; vertically extending the impermeablepressure cell side part in the first mining strip; and cast blasting athird mining strip so that third porous mine overburden is deposited onthe extended pressure cell bottom part, and on the first impermeablepressure cell top part.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theimpermeable pressure cell top part is referred to as a first impermeablepressure cell top part, the method further comprising: disposing one ormore interface sections on the extended pressure cell bottom part;disposing one or more interface sections on the first impermeablepressure cell top part; disposing a second impermeable pressure cell toppart over the third porous mine overburden; and connecting the secondimpermeable pressure cell top part to the extended pressure cell bottompart, to the first impermeable pressure cell top part, and to theextended impermeable pressure cell side part, thereby forming a secondpressure cell and a third pressure cell.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein disposing the impermeable pressure cell bottom part furthercomprises: disposing a first bottom part protective layer includingearthen material; disposing a bottom part seal on the first bottom partprotective layer, wherein the bottom part seal includes rubber; anddisposing a second bottom part protective layer on the bottom part seal,wherein the second bottom part protective layer includes earthenmaterial.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: coupling one ormore pressure lines to the one or more interface sections disposed onthe pressure cell bottom part; coupling the one or more pressure linesto the one or more interface sections disposed on the extended pressurecell bottom part; coupling the one or more pressure lines to the one ormore interface sections disposed on the first impermeable pressure celltop part; coupling a turbine center to the one or more pressure lines;pumping air using one or more turbines of the turbine center through theone or more pressure lines into the first pressure cell to pressurizethe first pressure cell; pumping the air using the one or more turbinesof the turbine center through the one or more pressure lines into thesecond pressure cell to pressurize the second pressure cell; pumping theair using the one or more turbines of the turbine center through the oneor more pressure lines into the third pressure cell to pressurize thethird pressure cell; and generating electricity using the one or moreturbines of the turbine center in response to pressurized air receivedthrough the one or more pressure lines from at least one of the firstpressurized pressure cell, the second pressurized pressure cell, or thethird pressurized pressure cell.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereindisposing the impermeable pressure cell side part further comprises:disposing a first side part in the first mining strip on the oppositeend of the mining strip relative to the active mining face, wherein thefirst side part includes a geomembrane; disposing a substantiallyvertical side part seal adjacent to the first side part, wherein theside part seal includes an impermeable layer of rubber; and disposing asecond side part adjacent the vertical side part seal, wherein thesecond side part includes a geomembrane.
 8. A big mass battery,comprising: a manufactured pressure vessel including a plurality ofpressure cells each having one or more impermeable layers containingporous material in which air can permeate; and a big mass layer disposedatop the manufactured pressure vessel to pressurize the air within themanufactured pressure vessel, wherein the manufactured pressure vesselfurther comprises: a first impermeable pressure cell containing firstporous earthen materials and first pressurized air; a second impermeablepressure cell atop the first impermeable pressure cell, the secondimpermeable pressure cell containing second porous earthen materials andsecond pressurized air; and a third impermeable pressure cell atop thesecond impermeable pressure cell, the third impermeable pressure cellcontaining third porous earthen materials and third pressurized air,wherein: the first impermeable pressure cell has a first diameter; thesecond impermeable pressure cell has a second diameter greater than thefirst diameter; and the third impermeable pressure cell has a thirddiameter greater than the second diameter.
 9. The big mass battery ofclaim 8, further comprising: an interface section in the firstimpermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel throughwhich the first pressurized air can enter and exit the first impermeablepressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel; and an interfacesection in the second impermeable pressure cell of the manufacturedpressure vessel through which the second pressurized air can enter andexit the second impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressurevessel.
 10. The big mass battery of claim 8, further comprising: aninterface section in the first impermeable pressure cell of themanufactured pressure vessel through which the first pressurized air canenter and exit the first impermeable pressure cell of the manufacturedpressure vessel; an interface section in the second impermeable pressurecell of the manufactured pressure vessel through which the secondpressurized air can enter and exit the second impermeable pressure cellof the manufactured pressure vessel; and an interface section in thethird impermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vesselthrough which the third pressurized air can enter and exit the thirdimpermeable pressure cell of the manufactured pressure vessel.
 11. Thebig mass battery of claim 8, wherein the one or more impermeable layersincludes rubber from recycled vehicle tires.
 12. The big mass battery ofclaim 8, wherein the big mass layer has a total mass of between one (1)million and one (1) billion tonnes.
 13. The big mass battery of claim 8,further comprising: one or more interface sections through which the aircan enter and exit the manufactured pressure vessel; one or morepressure lines coupled to the one or more interface sections; and aturbine center coupled to the one or more pressure lines, wherein theturbine center includes one or more turbines configured to generateelectricity in response to the pressurized air received through the oneor more pressure lines, wherein the one or more turbines are configuredto pump air through the one or more pressure lines into the manufacturedpressure vessel to pressurize the manufactured pressure vessel.